AQHA Update On H.R. 503 And S. 311
Edited Press Release

H.R. 503 was introduced on January 17, 2007 by Rep. Schakowsky (D-9^th/IL) and was referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, in addition to the Committee on Agriculture. S. 311 was introduced the same day by Sen. Mary Landrieu (D-LA) and was referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. 

H.R. 503 and S. 311 would amend the Horse Protection Act to prohibit the shipping, transporting, moving, delivering, receiving, possessing, purchasing, selling, or donation of horses and other equines to be slaughtered for human consumption, and for other purposes. The Senate version was voted out of this Committee and placed on the Senate calendar for debate on November 11, 2007.

The majority of AQHA’s members have voiced opposition to this legislation for the following reasons:

• More than 100,000 horses per year would be put at risk
• We would see an increase in the number of horse cruelty and abuse cases
• The legislation would be an encroachment on an owner’s rights to choose how to dispose of an unwanted or unusable horse.

Source: www.aqha.com